Sad News:Former Dodgers Top Prospect, Involved in Two Blockbuster Trades, Shockingly Set to Undergo UCL Surgery.Gray is…
Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Josiah Gray, formerly a top prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization, has a partially torn UCL and will undergo season-ending surgery next week, he revealed to reporters on Friday. Gray is uncertain whether he will require full Tommy John surgery or an internal brace, but he confirmed he will miss the remainder of this season and part of next season.
Gray, 26, managed only two starts this season, struggling with 13 earned runs over 8.1 innings. He was placed on the injured list in early April with a flexor strain and moved to the 60-day IL in early July.
Gray’s season is now officially over, and he faces a long rehab and recovery before returning to the mound.
Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Gray was traded to the Dodgers along with Jeter Downs and Homer Bailey in a major salary dump trade that sent Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood, and Kyle Farmer to the Reds.
Gray debuted with the Dodgers in 2021, making two appearances before being a key piece in a blockbuster trade that brought Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to Los Angeles at the trade deadline. At the time, Gray was the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect and was traded along with Keibert Ruiz (the No. 1 prospect), Donovan Casey, and Gerardo Carrillo.
After struggling in 2022, Gray had his best season in 2023, posting a 3.91 ERA across 159 innings and earning an All-Star selection with a 3.41 ERA over 100.1 innings in the first half.
Gray will now be sidelined for about a year, a significant blow for both him and the Nationals.
